Overview
This lecture explains the concepts of diffusion in human geography, focusing on the differences between relocation and expansion diffusion, and describing hierarchical, contagious, and stimulus diffusion.
Hearth and Diffusion Basics
- A hearth is the origin or starting point of an idea, practice, or item.
- Diffusion is the spread of something from its hearth to other places.
Types of Diffusion
- Two main types: relocation diffusion and expansion diffusion.
Relocation Diffusion
- Occurs when people or items move from one place to another, taking the idea with them.
- The hearth weakens or may disappear as the idea relocates.
- No increase in the total number of adopters; just a shift in location.
Expansion Diffusion
- The idea remains strong at the hearth and spreads outward to more people.
- Total number of adopters increases as the idea spreads.
- Three subtypes: hierarchical, contagious, stimulus diffusion.
Types of Expansion Diffusion
Hierarchical Diffusion
- Spreads from influential or powerful individuals/places to others in a top-down manner.
- Example: Trends starting with celebrities or large cities and then spreading to the wider population.
Contagious Diffusion
- Rapid, widespread spread to everyone nearby, without barriers or hierarchy.
- Example: Viral videos spreading across all segments of society quickly.
Stimulus Diffusion
- The original idea spreads but changes or adapts to fit new cultures or societies.
- Example: McDonald's menu changing in different countries to fit local tastes.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Hearth — The place where something originates.
- Diffusion — The process of spreading something more widely.
- Relocation Diffusion — Movement of people or things carrying an idea to new locations, weakening the original hearth.
- Expansion Diffusion — The spread of an idea outward from the hearth, increasing the number of adopters.
- Hierarchical Diffusion — Spread from top influencers to others.
- Contagious Diffusion — Rapid, widespread diffusion with no hierarchy.
- Stimulus Diffusion — Spread of an idea where the idea is changed to adapt to new places.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and memorize the types of diffusion and their characteristics.
- Prepare examples of each type for class discussion or assignments.